DC Under Doom Chapter 8: Imperium.

Chapter 8: Imperium.

-0-

In the heart of Hephaestus’ divine forge, beneath the volcanic mountains of Themyscira, two master craftsmen worked in absolute synchronization.

For seven days and seven nights, Doom and Hephaestus labored without rest.

The rhythmic clang of hammers against metal filled the cavern, each strike sending waves of divine and arcane energy rippling through the chamber. The very air hummed with power.

This was no ordinary armor.

This was a masterpiece.

Hephaestus forged the base of the armor from Amazonium, infused with celestial fire. It was light as air yet unbreakable as Olympus itself.

Within its untarnished silver interior, Doom carved micro-arcane circuits into the armor using dozens of ultrathin magic laserbeams from his fingertips, creating a network of internal lattice that would allow him to channel both science and magic at will.

The chestplate was forged with the Vibranium Doom had created, the divine and magical infused core making it able to absorb kinetic, thermal, electric and magical energy, storing and redirecting it at Doom’s command.

To reinforce the joints and gauntlets, Hephaestus integrated the ounter plating with Adamantium, ensuring that even if struck with the force of Zeus’ lightning, the armor would hold.

Using Divine fire and Doom's blood, Hephaestus and Doom engraved the armor's exterior with a blend of enhancement and support magical symbols from Doom's former and current worlds, connecting it to his soul such that it could never be stolen or used by another.

It would also amplify Doom's physical parameters, according to Haephestus Doom would be able to lift 1000 tons with a mere finger, and move at 10% the speed of light without trying.

After a week of ceaseless labor, the armor stood complete on the anvil.

Only one final touch remained.

Doom, still completely composed despite a week of work, approached the armor.

With absolute precision, he raised a single runed dagger—forged in the heart of Themyscira’s sacred fires—and pressed it against the chestplate.

Slowly, methodically, he etched the final rune.

(^)

An Inverted V.

A symbol of his absolute authority.

As the last stroke was completed, a surge of power erupted through the forge.

The armor came alive, its surface shifting between metallic perfection and swirling arcane energy. The air around it distorted, as if reality itself bowed to its presence.

Doom took a step back, his cold gaze scanning the finished masterpiece.

Then, finally—

He nodded.

"Acceptable."

An exhausted Hephaestus leaned against his forge, wiping soot from his brow. Even a God felt the toll of such craftsmanship.

Haphestus exhaled deeply, then turned to Doom. "What will you call it?"

Doom regarded the armor for a long moment.

It was forged from divine metals, strengthened by the wisdom of two realms, and crafted to elevate Doom beyond even the reach of gods.

It was a symbol of Latveria’s destiny.

It was the embodiment of his will.

Doom placed a gauntleted hand on the armor’s chestplate. His voice was calm, absolute.

"Imperium."

Hephaestus grinned tiredly. "Fitting."

Diana, who had been silently observing, bringing food and ensuring Doom remained focused on his work.

She gazed at the armor, its regal and terrifying presence undeniable.

"Imperium," she repeated. "The rule of an empire."

Doom turned to her, his mask unreadable. "Not an empire."

His voice lowered, heavy with finality.

"A new order."

And with that, the age of gods and kings had shifted forever.

-0-

Castle Doomstadt, the impenetrable heart of Latveria, stood under siege.

The banners of Latveria still flew, but the castle had been compromised.

Doom had been away.

And in his absence, the Light had dared to strike.

Inside the grand throne room, Vandal Savage sat upon Doom’s throne, his ancient presence radiating authority.

Beside him stood the members of the Light—Lex Luthor, Ra’s al Ghul, Queen Bee and Ocean Master.

Their forces had subdued the city, deactivated the Doombots, and planted thousands of explosives across Latveria.

And now, Doom had returned.

The massive doors to the throne room opened as Doom and Diana stepped inside.

Doom’s emerald cloak flowed behind him, the newly forged Imperium Armor gleaming with divine and arcane radiance.

Savage leaned forward, a smug look on his ancient face. "Victor Von Doom. You took longer than expected."

Doom stopped before the throne, his mask reflecting the firelight.

His voice was calm, absolute. "You have made a mistake, Savage."

Savage chuckled. "I think not. Finders Keepers. You will listen to my terms. Join the Light—under my command—or you will watch Latveria burn."

Diana gritted her teeth. "You dare threaten his- our people?"

Savage leaned back, unfazed. "You misunderstand, Princess. The bombs are already planted. Thousands of them. One command—"

He snapped his fingers. "And your mighty Latveria is dust."

"Damn you Vandal!"

Diana moved instantly, sword drawn, ready to strike—

But Doom raised a hand, stopping her.

Savage smirked. "Smart. You understand negotiation."

Doom’s voice remained cold, unshaken. "No."

Savage blinked. "No?"

Doom took a single step forward. "I will not repeat myself."

Lex Luthor frowned, suddenly uneasy. "Doom, I suggest you—"

Savage waved him off, standing. "Perhaps you think I am bluffing. Allow me to demonstrate."

He pressed a small device in his palm.

The signal was sent.

The bombs in the square outside Doomstadt should have detonated.

And yet—

Nothing happened. No explosion.

The entire room stilled.

Savage pressed the trigger again.

Nothing.

Doom tilted his head slightly. "Tell me, Savage. Are you truly fifty thousand years old?"

Savage narrowed his eyes. "What?"

Doom took another determined step forward, hands crossed behind him.

"Because one would think that fifty thousand years of experience would have taught you to recognize a trap."

Suddenly, the throne beneath Savage shifted.

Metallic cuffs emerged, snapping around his wrists and ankles—binding Vandal to the very seat he had claimed.

Savage’s smug expression faltered.

The other members of the Light reacted immediately—only to find themselves unable to move, caught by an invisible force. One that soon became visible.

From the walls, the ceiling, the floor—tiny, glimmering green shapes detached themselves, revealing an army of nano-machines, shifting and pulsating like a living emerald cloud.

The cloud swirled like sakura leaves in the breeze, a few immobilizing the Light while majority rejoined Doom's cloak which was made of the same nano fabric material.

Doom’s voice remained calm, unwavering.

"You were allowed to think you had taken Castle Doom. You were allowed to believe you had deactivated my Doombots. You were allowed to believe your explosives were functional. One week, in my absence, a savage was allowed to seat upon a King's throne. You were allowed the insult, now you face Doom."

He gestured slightly, and the nano-machines surged out into Latveria, consuming every inactive explosive across the nation in real-time, disassembling them into dust.

Diana’s eyes widened. "These machines…"

Doom’s mask turned toward her. "The true guards of Latveria, Princess. A defense system that cannot be fooled, cannot be disabled. They are absolute."

Her mind flashed back to Ares collapsing in Themyscira.

"You… you used them against Ares."

Doom nodded slightly. "Naturally. Even the God of War cannot stand against invincible invisible restraints."

Savage growled, struggling against the throne’s bindings. "You think this is over, Doom?"

His voice darkened. "You have no idea what forces I command. There are fates worse than death, and you have just earned one."

Doom stopped before the throne, towering over him.

"You are referring to the Lord of Chaos under your employ."

Savage’s expression twisted into a smirk. "You know of him, then."

Doom slowly raised a single hand.

With a simple gesture, the cuffs unlocked.

Savage’s arms fell free.

The room tensed.

Savage frowned, rubbing his wrists. "What are you doing?"

Doom’s voice was like iron.

"Summon him."

The air grew heavy. Savage opened and closed his mouth without knowing what to say.

"Call upon one of your many masters, Vandal Savage. Doom will wait."

The sheer confidence in his words, had Savage thinking that maybe, just maybe, this was a mistake. The other members of the Light had on butter expressions, blaming him for the situation.

And yet, to escape this hole he had dug for them, he had no choice but to call in his back up.

Surely Doom, no matter how powerful couldn't stand up against a Chaos Lord right?

"K- Klarion! I summon thee!"